Glimpses of Greatness – Class 11

1. Why did Abe stand on the box and speak?
   Abe and his friend Dennis listened to a loudspeaker at a meeting. They did not like his speech. Dennis said Abe could do better, so he asked Abe to speak. Abe stood on the box and gave a great speech.
2. Do we need fancy clothes or a high position to give a speech?
   No, we don’t. Abe spoke well even though he wore simple clothes. What matters is the idea and confidence, not looks or status.
3. How did Dennis help Abe?
   Dennis believed in Abe and encouraged him to speak. He gave Abe a chance by setting up the box for him. His support helped Abe show his talent.
4. Does everyone have talent? Why do some people not show theirs?
   Yes, everyone has talent. But some people feel shy or afraid to speak in front of others. They may worry about making mistakes or being laughed at. Others need someone to encourage them, like Dennis encouraged Abe. Confidence and support help people show their skills.

His First Flight – Liam O’Flaherty

His First Flight is a story about a young seagull who is afraid to fly. His siblings fly away, but he stays behind on a high ledge. His parents try to encourage him, even scolding him and refusing to feed him. Hungry and desperate, he finally takes a leap when his mother tempts him with food. Though scared at first, he soon discovers that he can fly. His family welcomes him happily, and he floats on the sea, enjoying his success.

പറക്കാൻ പേടിയായിരുന്ന, ജോനാഥൻ എന്ന ഒരു കൊച്ചു കടൽകാക്കയുടെ കഥയാണ് “അവൻ്റെ ആദ്യത്തെ പറക്കൽ.” അവൻ്റെ സഹോദരങ്ങൾ പറന്നു തുടങ്ങി പക്ഷെ അവനുമാത്രം പറക്കാൻ പേടിയായിരുന്നു. വളരെ ഉയരമുള്ള ഒരു പാറക്കെട്ടിൻ്റെ മുകളിൽ ഇരുന്ന് അവൻ പറക്കാൻ ശ്രമിച്ചു പക്ഷെ ഭയം അവനെ പിന്നോട്ട് വലിച്ചു. അവൻ്റെ അച്ഛനും അമ്മയും അവനെ വഴക്കുപറഞ്ഞു, കളിയാക്കി, പട്ടിണിക്കിട്ടു. അവസാനം, അമ്മയുടെ കയ്യിലിരുന്ന മീൻ തിന്നാൻ അവൻ എല്ലാം മറന്ന് താഴേക്ക് ചാടി, ചിറകുകൾ വിരിച്ച് പറന്നു. അവൻ്റെ കുടുംബം മുഴുവൻ അവനോടൊപ്പം പറന്നു. അതായിരുന്നു ജോനാഥൻ്റെ ആദ്യത്തെ പറക്കൽ.

Notes

• A young seagull stands alone on a ledge while his siblings fly away.
• He is afraid to fly and doesn’t trust his wings.
• His parents call him and scold him for not trying.
• He watches his siblings learning to fly and catching fish.
• His family mocks him for his fear.
• He hasn’t eaten since the previous night.
• He searches for food but finds nothing.
• He tries to reach his parents without flying but cannot.
• He pretends to sleep, hoping they will help him.
• His mother notices him but does not come to him.
• She eats fish in front of him, making him hungrier.
• He begs his mother for food.
• His mother picks up a piece of fish and flies towards him.
• She stops right in front of him, holding the food out of reach.
• He dives for the fish, falling into the air.
• At first, he is terrified as he drops downward.
• Then, his wings spread, and he feels the wind beneath them.
• He realizes he is flying instead of falling.
• He flaps his wings and soars upward.
• His mother and father fly beside him.
• His siblings join him, flying around him happily.
• He forgets his fear and starts flying freely.
• He enjoys flying and the feeling of moving in the air.
• He flies over the sea, seeing the waves below.
• His family lands on the water and calls him.
• He tries to land but sinks into the water.
• He panics but realizes he can float.
• He is weak and tired from flying.
• His family praises and feeds him.
• He has made his first successful flight.

20 Short Questions and Answers

1. Why was the young seagull alone?
   His siblings had flown away, but he was too afraid to fly.
2. What was he afraid of?
   He thought his wings wouldn’t support him.
3. How did his parents react?
   They called, scolded, and threatened to leave him hungry.
4. Why was he feeling hungry?
   He hadn’t eaten since the previous night.
5. What did he try to do instead of flying?
   He searched for food and tried to reach his parents without flying.
6. How did his mother tempt him?
   She held a piece of fish close to him but didn’t give it to him.
7. What happened when he tried to get the fish?
   He dived for it but fell into the air.
8. How did he feel at first when falling?
   He was terrified.
9. What happened after a moment?
   His wings spread, and he started flying.
10. Who joined him after he started flying?
    His mother, father, and siblings.
11. How did he feel about flying?
    He forgot his fear and enjoyed it.
12. Where did he go while flying?
    Over the sea.
13. What did his family do on the water?
    They landed and called him to join them.
14. What happened when he landed on the water?
    He sank into it and got scared.
15. Why didn’t he drown?
    His body floated naturally on the water.
16. How did his family react to his first flight?
    They praised him and fed him.
17. What did he eat after landing?
    Scraps of fish from his parents.
18. What lesson did he learn?
    He realized he could fly if he tried.
19. What was his biggest fear in the story?
    He was afraid of falling and failing.
20. How did he overcome his fear?
    Hunger pushed him to take a leap, and he discovered he could fly.

Long Answers

1. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly?
   The young seagull was afraid to fly because he thought his wings were too weak to support him. He saw the vast sea beneath him and felt scared that he would fall. Even though his siblings had already learned to fly, he lacked the courage to try. He attempted once but quickly ran back to his safe spot on the ledge. His fear was stronger than his desire to join his family. He kept watching them fly, but his doubt held him back. His parents tried to encourage him, but he still hesitated. His fear made him feel stuck and helpless.
2. How did the seagull’s siblings succeed in flying?
   His siblings were not afraid to take the first step. They ran to the edge, flapped their wings, and jumped into the air without hesitation. Even though their wings were shorter than his, they had confidence. His parents guided and taught them how to skim over the waves and catch fish. They quickly learned the art of flying and became independent. His older brother even caught a fish, proving his success. His siblings rested peacefully, knowing they had mastered something important. Their bravery helped them move forward, while the young seagull stayed behind.
3. What did the seagull’s parents do to encourage him?
   The seagull’s parents tried several ways to encourage him to fly. They called out to him, urging him to take the leap. When he refused, they scolded him, trying to push him past his fear. They even warned him that he would starve if he did not fly. His parents focused on training his siblings, making him feel left out. He watched them dive for fish while he remained hungry and alone. His mother eventually used food to tempt him into moving. They knew he had the ability but wanted him to discover it himself.
4. How did the seagull feel after watching his siblings fly?
   The seagull felt frustrated and lonely. His siblings were enjoying their new skill, while he was stuck on the ledge. He saw them flying effortlessly, catching fish, and having fun. His parents praised them and ignored his fear. This made him feel even more helpless. He wished he could be with them but was too scared to try. He felt hunger growing inside him, making his situation worse. Though he wanted to fly, his fear held him back.
5. Why was the seagull desperate for food?
   The seagull had not eaten since the previous night, and there was no food left on his ledge. His hunger made him restless, searching every corner of his nest. He even tried to eat dried eggshell pieces, which felt like eating a part of himself. His family ignored his hunger and continued their activities. His mother had food, but she did not bring it to him. Watching her eat made him even more desperate. His hunger became stronger than his fear. It was this hunger that finally pushed him to take a leap.
6. What did the seagull’s mother do with the fish?
   The seagull’s mother picked up a piece of fish and flew toward him. At first, he was excited, thinking she was going to feed him. But she stopped suddenly, just out of his reach. She held the fish in her beak, tempting him to move closer. He begged her for the food, calling out desperately. But she did not come any closer. Instead, she forced him to take the risk himself. This was her way of teaching him to fly.
7. What happened when the seagull tried to get the fish?
   the seagull leaned forward, stretching toward the fish, but could not reach it. His hunger made him desperate, and he jumped forward. Instead of grabbing the food, he fell into the air. At first, he was terrified, thinking he was falling straight down. His heart stopped, and he thought he would crash. But suddenly, his wings spread out. The wind lifted him, and he realized he was flying. His fear quickly turned into excitement.
8. How did the seagull finally start flying?
   As the seagull fell, his wings spread out naturally. He felt the wind pushing against his feathers, supporting him. Instead of falling, he was moving smoothly through the air. He flapped his wings once and soared upward. He had finally discovered his ability to fly. The fear that held him back was gone. He felt light and free, enjoying the movement. In that moment, he forgot he had ever been afraid.
9. How did his family react when he started flying?
   His mother swooped past him, making a loud noise. His father joined in, screaming with joy. His two brothers and sister flew around him, celebrating his success. They were all excited to see him finally overcome his fear. They flew beside him, guiding him through the air. He felt proud and happy to be part of their group. Instead of mocking him, they cheered him on. His flight became a joyful moment for his entire family.
10. What emotions did the seagull feel while flying?
    At first, the seagull felt fear and shock as he fell. But as soon as he realized he could fly, his fear faded. He felt excited and amazed at his ability. The joy of flying made him forget his past hesitation. He started soaring higher and experimenting with movement. He flapped his wings strongly, enjoying his freedom. It was a completely new experience for him. He felt proud and confident in himself.

Textual Analysis

The young seagull was alone on his ledge. His two brothers and his sister had already flown away the day before. He had been afraid to fly with them. Somehow, when he had taken a little run forward to the brink of the ledge and attempted to flap his wings, he became afraid. The great expanse of sea stretched down beneath, and it was such a long way down ó miles down. He felt certain that his wings would never support him; so he bent his head and ran away back to the little hole under the ledge where he slept at night. Even when each of his brothers and his little sister, whose wings were far shorter than his own, ran to the brink, flapped their wings, and flew away, he failed to muster up courage to take that plunge which appeared to him so desperate. His father and mother had come around calling to him shrilly, scolding him, threatening to let him starve on his ledge, unless he flew away. But for the life of him, he could not move.

That was twenty-four hours ago. Since then, nobody had come near him. The day before, all day long, he had watched his parents flying about with his brothers and sister, perfecting them in the art of flight, teaching them how to skim the waves and how to dive for fish. He had, in fact, seen his older brother catch his first herring and devour it, standing on a rock, while his parents circled around raising a proud cackle. And all the morning, the whole family had walked about on the big plateau midway down the opposite cliff, laughing at his cowardice.

The sun was now ascending the sky, blazing warmly on his ledge that faced the south. He felt the heat because he had not eaten since the previous nightfall. Then, he had found a dried piece of mackerel’s tail at the far end of his ledge. Now, there was not a single scrap of food left. He had searched every inch, rooting among the rough, dirt-caked straw nest where he and his brothers and sister had been hatched. He even gnawed at the dried pieces of eggshell. It was like eating a part of himself. He then trotted back and forth from one end of the ledge to the other, his long gray legs stepping daintily, trying to find some means of reaching his parents without having to fly. But on each side of him, the ledge ended in a sheer fall of precipice, with the sea beneath. And between him and his parents, there was a deep, wide crack.

Surely he could reach them without flying if he could only move northwards along the cliff face? But then, on what could he walk? There was no ledge, and he was not a fly. And above him, he could see nothing. The precipice was sheer, and the top of it was, perhaps, farther away than the sea beneath him.

He stepped slowly out to the brink of the ledge, and, standing on one leg with the other leg hidden under his wing, he closed one eye, then the other, and pretended to be falling asleep. Still, they took no notice of him. He saw his two brothers and his sister lying on the plateau dozing, with their heads sunk into their necks. His father was preening the feathers on his white back. Only his mother was looking at him. She was standing on a little high hump on the plateau, her white breast thrust forward. Now and again, she tore at a piece of fish that lay at her feet, and then scraped each side of her beak on the rock. The sight of the food maddened him. How he loved to tear food that way, scraping his beak now and again to whet it! He uttered a low cackle. His mother cackled too, and looked at him.

“Ga, ga, ga,” he cried, begging her to bring him over some food. “Gawl-ool-ah,” she screamed back mockingly. But he kept calling plaintively, and after a minute or so, he uttered a joyful scream. His mother had picked up a piece of fish and was flying across to him with it. He leaned out eagerly, tapping the rock with his feet, trying to get nearer to her as she flew across. But when she was just opposite to him, abreast of the ledge, she halted, her legs hanging limp, her wings motionless, the piece of fish in her beak almost within reach of his beak.

He waited a moment in surprise, wondering why she did not come nearer, and then maddened by hunger, he dived at the fish. With a loud scream, he fell outwards and downwards into space. His mother had swooped upwards. As he passed beneath her, he heard the swish of her wings. Then a monstrous terror seized him and his heart stood still. He could hear nothing. But it only lasted a moment. The next moment, he felt his wings spread outwards. The wind rushed against his breast feathers, then under his stomach and against his wings. He could feel the tips of his wings cutting through the air. He was not falling headlong now. He was soaring gradually, downwards and outwards. He was no longer afraid. He just felt a bit dizzy. Then, he flapped his wings once and he soared upwards.

He uttered a joyous scream and flapped them again. He soared higher. He raised his breast and banked against the wind. “Ga, ga, ga. Ga, ga, ga.” “Gawlool-ah.” His mother swooped past him, her wings making a loud noise. He answered her with another scream. Then, his father flew over him screaming. Then, he saw his two brothers and sister flying around him, soaring and diving. Then, he completely forgot that he had not always been able to fly, and commenced to dive and soar, shrieking shrilly.

He was near the sea now, flying straight over it, facing out over the ocean. He saw a vast green sea beneath him, with little ridges moving over it; he turned his beak sideways and crowed amusedly. His parents and his brothers and sister had landed on this green floor in front of him. They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly. He dropped his legs to stand on the green sea. His legs sank into it. He screamed with fright and attempted to rise again, flapping his wings. But he was tired and weak with hunger and he could not rise, exhausted by the strange exercise. His feet sank into the green sea, and then his belly touched it and he sank no farther. He was floating on it. And around him, his family was screaming, praising him, and their beaks were offering him scraps of dog-fish. He had made his first flight.